Balbithan House facts for kids
Balbithan House (say it "bal-BITH-ən") is an old, strong house from the 1500s. It has three floors and is shaped like the letter 'L'. People also call it Old Place of Balbithan or Old Balbthan. You can find it in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south-east of Inverurie.
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History of Balbithan House
The land where Balbithan House stands used to belong to a place called Lindores Abbey. But by 1490, the Chalmers family owned it. There was an even older house here before, near the River Don, across from Kintore. We don't know what that first house looked like.
Building the House
The Chalmers family built the current house around 1560. It probably started as a long, rectangular building with one round tower. Around 1600, they added a second part to the house. This meant they had to take down the first tower.
Who Lived Here?
Some people believe that supporters of the Jacobite cause used the house in 1746. The Jacobites were people who wanted to bring back the old royal family to the throne of Scotland and England.
In 1696, the Chalmers family sold the house to James Balfour, a merchant from Edinburgh. Then, from 1699 to 1707, the Hays owned it. After that, a part of the Gordons family lived there until 1859.
Changes Over Time
Between 1760 and 1860, some changes were made inside the house. The top floor was removed in the early 1800s. Also, the ceilings on the second floor were made higher.
In 1960, a famous artist named Mary McMurtrie bought Balbithan House. She worked hard to fix it up and make it beautiful again.
What Balbithan House Looks Like
Balbithan House is an "L-plan" tower. This means it's shaped like the letter 'L'. What's special about this house is that both parts of the 'L' are the same length. The newer part was added around 1630.
Inside the House
On the ground floor, there's a kitchen without a vaulted (arched) ceiling. Above that, you'll find a long hall, a long gallery (which is like a big living room), and bedrooms. There used to be a small addition on the north side for a service staircase, but it has been removed.
Special Features
On the south side of the west wing, there's a metal sundial. This sundial is from 1679 and has the initials of James Chalmers on it. Balbithan House is a very important building in Scotland. It is a category A listed building, which means it has special historical or architectural value.
The Gardens
Mary McMurtrie, the artist who bought the house, also brought the gardens back to life. These gardens are now considered very important and beautiful.
